Scott Conway posted his second consecutive three-goal game for the Penticton Vees.
After a three-goal, five-point performance in a 6-0 win in Vernon over the Vipers on New Year's Day, Conway popped in three, while adding an assist in a 6-1 win at the South Okanagan Events Centre Saturday. The win improved the Vees to 33-4-0-1, 19 points ahead of the Silverbacks who are now 22-10-2-2.
"I thought it was a whole team effort," said Vees blueliner and alternate captain Dante Fabbro, who assisted on two Conway goals.
Fabbro added that everyone played their roles which was huge.
"It showed this weekend and through the last week of practice that our work ethic has kind of shone through right now," he said.
Conway opened the scoring on a backhand 7:53 into the game after taking a feed from Mitchell Brooks. The goal was Conway's 35th of the season. Defenceman Colton Poolman's second goal of the season to make it 2-0 proved to be the winner at 16:01 of the first. He fired a shot from the high slot that changed direction to beat Angus Redmond.
The Vees put the game away in the second period with four goals. The first by Nicholas Jones, who tipped a shot between his legs past Redmond, low stick side for his 10th. Conway then scored back-to-back goals, his third was on the power-play to give him 37. Taylor Ward scored the Vees' final goal when he picked a Seamus Donohue shot out of the air past Redmond's glove. That was the end of Redmond, who finished with 22 saves. Nic Tallarico mades seven saves in relief.
Anthony Brodeur was strong in goal finishing with 27 saves for his 19th win. Former Vee Josh Blanchard spoiled his shutout bid by batting a rebound out of the air at the side of the net. The goal was scored on the power-play, which the Silverbacks went one-for-two. The Vees were one-for-six.
The Vees were without Gabe Bast, Demico Hannoun and Easton Brodzinski with injuries. Fabbro said it was a big win for them against the Silverbacks with nearly a full roster. The Vees played the third period without captain Tyson Jost, who got into a fight with Damian Chrcek with 19 seconds remaining in the second period. Jost got in a few punches before throwing Chrcek down to the ice. Jost had his 19-game point streak snapped.